There are more than 600 species of oak growing in the Northern hemisphere; the most common species are sourced in Europe, North America and Japan.Oak wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3 (0.43 oz/cu in) creating great strength and hardness.

All oak species are strong, hard, heavy and dense with very close grainThe wood is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content.

It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn.

Merbau Wood

Merbau is known for its durability.Incidentally, this durability is attributable to its natural oils, which allows it to endure harsh temperatures and climates, saltwater and other extreme conditions. Tannin, Merbau’s natural oil, actually helps prevent the timber from cracking or splitting. This is what gives it that added strength, which in turn, can result to greater usability and durability for outdoor use.Note: Tannin is also the component that protects Merbau timber from saltwater and rainwater and is also the one that helps in controlling shrinkage.This type of hardwood, in light of its inherent qualities, will merely require minimum maintenance. In fact, some may even consider it as maintenance-free.